1 year warranty
Communication Gateways
Communication gateways translate data between incompatible industrial protocols, enabling PLCs, drives, sensors, HMIs, and SCADA systems with different communication standards to exchange data within a single automation architecture. PLC Direct, an independent supplier, stocks communication gateway hardware from ProSoft Technology and Red Lion, including standalone protocol converters, as surplus sealed, refurbished, and used hardware.
Where Are Communication Gateways Used in Industrial Environments?
Communication gateways are deployed wherever two or more incompatible protocols must exchange data across the same system, from plant-level controller networks down to field device and SCADA integration layers. They are essential in multi-vendor environments, legacy system retrofits, and facilities where controllers from different manufacturers must share process data without replacing installed hardware.
Facilities and operations that depend on communication gateways include:
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Multi-vendor manufacturing plants integrating PLCs, variable frequency drives, and field instruments operating on Modbus, PROFIBUS, PROFINET, or EtherNet/IP within a single production system.
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Legacy PROFIBUS retrofit projects where existing field devices must continue operating while the plant controller migrates to an EtherNet/IP or PROFINET control architecture.
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Oil and gas and chemical facilities bridging serial Modbus field devices into SCADA and historian platforms that communicate over Ethernet-based protocols.
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Building automation and HVAC installations requiring protocol conversion between BACnet field equipment and PLC-based control systems managing mechanical plant.
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Water and wastewater utilities connecting Modbus RTU remote terminal units to Ethernet SCADA platforms across extended site networks.
A failed communication gateway breaks data exchange for every device on the affected protocol segment, making exact model, protocol pairing, and firmware version matching critical before ordering a replacement.
Which Brands of Communication Gateways Does PLC Direct Stock?
PLC Direct stocks communication gateway hardware from ProSoft Technology and Red Lion across two product families.
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ProSoft PLX3x series standalone EtherNet/IP protocol gateways: DIN rail-mounted standalone protocol converters for bi-directional data exchange between EtherNet/IP and Modbus TCP/IP, Modbus Serial or PROFINET protocols, with no PLC backplane slot required.
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Red Lion CR3000 series protocol conversion panels: Multi-protocol conversion panels configured via Crimson software, supporting simultaneous translation across serial, Ethernet, and fieldbus protocols for multi-vendor system integration.
All listed hardware is either surplus sealed, refurbished, or used, per inventory availability. Contact PLC Direct for part-level availability and current pricing.
What Should You Know Before Ordering Communication Gateways?
Hardware condition options: Surplus sealed units are unused and in original manufacturer packaging. Refurbished units have been inspected and restored to functional operating condition. Used units are tested and operational, with conditions stated on each product listing.
Compatibility and part identification: Communication gateways must be matched by protocol pair and device form factor. For ProSoft PLX series standalone gateways, the model number encodes the exact protocol pairing, such as EIP-MBTCP for EtherNet/IP to Modbus TCP/IP.
Warranty: All communication gateway hardware purchased from PLC Direct carries a standard 1-year warranty covering defects and functionality, applicable to surplus sealed, refurbished, and used products. PLC Direct supplies communication gateway hardware for replacement and maintenance purposes and does not provide system design, programming, or integration services.